The Ultimate Cheesy Olive Bread Recipe: Easy, Flavorful, and Perfect for Any Gathering
Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Olive Cheese Bread! This isn’t just any bread; it’s a sensational French bread loaf generously stuffed with a rich, creamy, and wonderfully savory mixture of softened butter, tangy mayonnaise, a medley of salty green and black olives, aromatic parsley, and spicy pepper jack cheese. It comes together in minutes and transforms into a golden, bubbly, and irresistible appetizer or side dish that is guaranteed to impress everyone who tries it.
Why This Olive Cheese Bread Will Be Your New Favorite Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with this olive cheese bread. It’s not just an appetizer; it’s an experience of contrasting textures and bold flavors that come together in perfect harmony. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the toasted French bread, a creamy richness from the butter and mayonnaise, and a delightful burst of salty, briny flavor from the olives, all perfectly complemented by the gooey, melted cheese.
This recipe is an absolute breeze to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings. You simply mix the flavorful filling, generously stuff it into the hollowed-out French bread, bake it until golden and bubbly, and then slice and serve. It’s a fantastic solution for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen, proving that incredible taste doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether you’re hosting a lively cocktail party, looking for a comforting side to accompany your favorite soup, or adding a savory touch to a fresh salad, this versatile olive cheese bread fits the bill. Its robust flavors make it a standalone star, but it also pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes. Trust us, once you try this recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without this salty, creamy, and utterly satisfying bread in your life. It’s a guaranteed hit every single time!
If you’re as much of an appetizer enthusiast as we are, you’ll also love exploring some of our other top appetizer recipes. Don’t miss out on popular choices like Oven Baked Cheeseburger Sliders, savory Cheddar Cheese and Herb Straws, the vibrant Easy Mediterranean Dip, irresistible Smoked Pig Shots, and our fresh Homemade Fire Roasted Salsa. Each one promises a burst of flavor and a perfect start to any meal or celebration!
How to Make Delicious Olive Cheese Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting this flavorful olive cheese bread is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. Follow these simple steps to create a delightful appetizer or side dish that everyone will rave about. The key is in the preparation of the savory filling and the perfect bake to achieve that golden, bubbly finish.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with the creamy mayonnaise. Using a spatula or spoon, thoroughly cream these two ingredients together until they are smooth and well-combined. This forms the rich, flavorful base for your filling. Next, stir in the garlic powder and a generous pinch of black pepper, ensuring these spices are evenly distributed. Now, add your sliced green olives, black olives, most of the shredded pepper jack cheese (remember to set aside about 1/2 cup for sprinkling on top later), and the fresh chopped parsley. Gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is uniformly mixed and coated. This vibrant mixture is the heart of your olive cheese bread!
- Carefully slice your French bread loaf in half lengthwise, creating two long pieces. Then, using a spoon or your fingers, gently scoop out a shallow well from the soft interior of each bread half. This creates a perfect cavity to hold your delicious filling. Be careful not to tear through the crust! Next, divide the prepared olive and cheese filling evenly between the two bread halves. Spread the mixture from edge to edge, ensuring every bite will be packed with flavor. Finally, sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese generously over the top of each stuffed bread half. This extra layer of cheese will melt into a beautiful golden crust.
- Place the stuffed bread halves on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and has achieved a glorious golden-brown color on top. The crust of the French bread should also be perfectly crisp. Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the olive cheese bread to cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling period is crucial as it allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice without a messy spread. Finally, slice the bread into generous 1-inch pieces and serve warm. Enjoy the irresistible aroma and incredible flavors!
Delicious Variations to Customize Your Olive Cheese Bread
While the classic olive cheese bread recipe is fantastic on its own, it also serves as an excellent canvas for creativity. Feel free to experiment with these variations to tailor the flavors to your preference and make it truly your own!
- Swap out the cheese for a different flavor profile. Monterey Jack cheese offers a milder, meltier experience. For a sharper, more tangy kick, try a blend with crumbled feta cheese or grated parmesan. A combination of mozzarella for stretchiness and provolone for flavor can also be delightful. Don’t hesitate to use a mixture of your favorite cheeses to create a unique blend.
- Add some finely diced green onions or chives to the filling mixture. These fresh alliums will introduce a mild, savory onion flavor and a vibrant green color, enhancing both the taste and presentation of your bread.
- I like to use pimento-stuffed Spanish Queen olives for their distinctive tangy flavor and beautiful color, but any type of green olives will work wonderfully. Consider Castelvetrano olives for a milder, buttery taste, or even a mix of different green olive varieties for added complexity.
- You can also use Kalamata olives instead of, or in addition to, black olives for a more robust, fruitier, and slightly purplish hue. Just remember, Kalamata olives tend to be more salty and briny than standard black olives, so you might want to adjust other salty components in the recipe or simply enjoy the intense flavor!
- **Spice it Up:** For those who love a little heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter and mayo mixture. You could also include a finely diced jalapeño or serrano pepper along with the olives for an extra kick that complements the pepper jack cheese.
- **Add Herbs:** Beyond parsley, fresh basil, oregano, or even a touch of fresh rosemary (finely minced) can elevate the herbaciousness of the bread. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend.
- **Smoky Flavor:** A sprinkle of smoked paprika in the filling can add a wonderful depth and subtle smoky aroma that pairs exceptionally well with the olives and cheese.
Expert Tips for Perfect Olive Cheese Bread Every Time
Achieving the perfect olive cheese bread is simple, but a few expert tips can elevate your results from good to absolutely outstanding. Pay attention to these details, and you’ll be baking a golden, cheesy masterpiece every time.
- Slice the olives yourself! While pre-sliced olives might seem convenient, those packed in brine tend to be softer and can easily break down during mixing, becoming mushy. Slicing whole olives ensures better texture and a more appealing presentation in your finished bread.
- Yes, you can rough chop the olives if you don’t want to take the time to meticulously slice them yourself. A rough chop still provides a good texture and flavor, and it’s much quicker than precise slicing, making the preparation even faster.
- Shred the cheese yourself! Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose, which can prevent them from melting as smoothly and becoming as gooey as freshly shredded cheese. Taking a few extra minutes to shred your own pepper jack will result in a superior melt and a richer, creamier texture in your olive cheese bread.
- If you are sensitive to salt, or if you’re using particularly briny olives (like Kalamata), consider cutting the amount of green olives in half. You can always add a few more to taste, but it’s harder to remove salt once it’s in the mixture.
- Ensure butter is truly softened: For the best creamy base, your unsalted butter should be at room temperature, soft enough to easily cream with the mayonnaise but not melted. This helps create a smooth, homogenous filling that spreads beautifully.
- Don’t overfill the bread: While tempting to pack in as much filling as possible, overfilling can cause it to spill out during baking. Scoop out a shallow but adequate well and spread the mixture evenly without mounding it too high.
- Use parchment paper: Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the bread from sticking, makes cleanup a breeze, and ensures the bottom crust doesn’t become too dark or burnt.
- Serve warm: Olive cheese bread is at its absolute best when served warm, straight from the oven. The cheese will be perfectly melted and gooey, and the bread crust will be crisp.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the slices on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the bread is heated through. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can make the bread soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Cheese Bread
Here are some common questions about making and enjoying this delicious olive cheese bread, along with helpful answers to ensure your success.
Absolutely! This is one of the best features of this recipe for entertaining. You can thoroughly prepare the bread, stuffing it with the olive and cheese mixture and sprinkling the reserved cheese on top. Once assembled, wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the bread from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before placing it in the oven. This allows it to come to temperature slightly, ensuring even baking and a perfectly melted, bubbly cheese topping.
Any leftover olive cheese bread should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. It will keep well for 2 to 3 days. To enjoy it again, the best way to reheat is in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. This method ensures the bread crisps up nicely and the cheese becomes gooey again, much like when it was first baked. While a microwave can warm it, it won’t achieve the same desirable crispy texture.
A sturdy, medium-crusted French bread loaf (about 14 inches long) works best. You want a loaf that can hold its shape once sliced and scooped, but still has a soft interior for soaking up the flavors. Avoid overly soft or very crusty, dense baguettes, as they might be harder to hollow out or become too hard after baking.
Yes, absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. While pimento-stuffed green olives and black olives provide a classic flavor, you can certainly experiment with other varieties. Kalamata olives offer a more robust and fruity flavor, while un-pitted green olives (which you’d pit and slice yourself) can have a fresher taste. Just be mindful that different olives have varying saltiness levels, so you might need to adjust accordingly.
Explore More Stuffed French Bread Recipes
If you love the idea of transforming a simple loaf of French bread into a spectacular meal or appetizer, you’re in luck! There are so many creative ways to stuff French bread with delicious fillings. Here are some other fantastic recipes that celebrate the versatility of French bread:
French Bread Sloppy Joes
Easy Homemade French Bread Pizza Recipe
Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
Olive Cheese Bread Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread about 14-inches long, sturdy crust
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper freshly ground preferred
- 6 oz Pimento-stuffed green olives drained and freshly sliced (or less to taste for salt sensitivity)
- 6 oz Black olives drained and sliced
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley finely chopped
- 8 oz Pepper Jack cheese freshly shredded (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and mayonnaise. Cream them together until smooth. Stir in the garlic powder and black pepper. Add the sliced green olives, black olives, 7.5 oz of the shredded pepper jack cheese (reserving 0.5 oz for topping), and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently until all ingredients are well combined and the filling is uniform.1/2 cup Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup Mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp Garlic powder, 1/4 tsp Black pepper, 6 oz Pimento-stuffed green olives, 6 oz Black olives, 1/2 cup Fresh parsley, 8 oz Pepper Jack cheese
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Slice the French bread loaf in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out a shallow well from the soft interior of each bread half, leaving a sturdy crust. Divide the olive and cheese filling and spread it evenly into the wells of both bread halves. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded pepper jack cheese over the top of each half.1 loaf French bread
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Place the stuffed bread halves on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and the bread crust is crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling time helps the cheese set, making it easier to slice cleanly. Slice into 1-inch pieces and serve warm.
Notes
- Yes, you can rough chop the olives if you don’t want to take the time to slice them yourself. This will save you prep time without sacrificing much flavor or texture.
- If you are sensitive to salt, consider cutting the amount of green olives in half, or opt for low-sodium olives. You can always add more salt if needed, but it’s hard to remove once added.
- Cover and refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid using a microwave for reheating, as it can make the bread soggy.
- For best results, use fresh ingredients, especially freshly shredded cheese and sliced olives, as discussed in the “Tips” section.
Nutrition
This fantastic Olive Cheese Bread recipe is slightly adapted from a beloved favorite by The Pioneer Woman, bringing her signature comfort food style to your kitchen with our added twists and tips for perfection. Enjoy!